Branchline, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., has been producing the HO-scale Blueprint Series freight car kits, passenger car kits, detail parts, and Yardmaster freight car kits since 1998. Select Series cars have also been produced as ready-to-run models.

Branchline Trains will continue and expand both its multi-scale Laser Art Structures and model railroad distribution business. New structures and backdrop buildings are planned for release in the near future.

Marilyn Krutt, President, Branchline Trains said, “Atlas is well-suited to take over the production and distribution of the former Branchline rolling stock. Branchline and Atlas are both family-based businesses and we know that Atlas will provide well for current and future customers.”

Diane Schaffan Haedrich, Atlas president and granddaughter of company founder Stephan J. Schaffan Sr. said, “Atlas is pleased to have the opportunity to bring this fine line of HO scale trains into the Atlas rolling stock family of products.”

Atlas, founded more than 85 years ago, has been producing model railroad products in N, HO and O scales for more than 60 years. The New Jersey company plans to integrate both ready-to-run and kit offerings into Atlas’ rolling stock lines. Atlas will also continue to offer a complete line of HO wheelsets, trucks and freight car detail parts.

Branchline Trains will honor existing warranties until the end of 2011. Atlas will begin to offer limited-availability existing Branchline in-stock kits to its distributors in March 2011. New and re-run Branchline-based products will be announced and distributed by Atlas throughout the second half of 2011.